Sudanese PM denies making 'normalisation statement' to Israeli press

Sudanese PM denies making 'normalisation statement' to Israeli press
The Sudanese premier's office rejected suggestions he spoke with Israel's Maariv paper. It was claimed in the media he informed the Israeli daily normalisation is in 'our interest and we want it'.
1 min read
20 May, 2021
Sudanese PM Abdalla Hamdok allegedly spoke with Maariv while in Paris [SARAH MEYSSONNIER/POOL/AFP/Getty]

The Sudanese prime minister's office on Wednesday rejected claims he spoke to an Israeli paper while visiting France.

The rejection from Abdalla Hamdok's team, seen by The New Arab's Arabic-language service,  dismissed reports that he had given comment to the Israeli Maariv daily paper while in Paris.

It claimed that Hamdok spoke only to the Le Monde newspaper and the Sudanese Radio Dabanga while in the French capital.

The official Sudan News Agency also reported the statement, though did not mention Radio Dabanga.

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Media reports have claimed that Hamdok made comments concerning normalisation with Israel to Maariv.

He is alleged to have said this process will go on regardless of circumstances, since it is in "our interest and we want it".

Sudan normalised ties with Israel last October, during Donald Trump's term as US president.

In April this year, Khartoum repealed a law mandating a diplomatic and economic boycott of Israel that dated back to 1958. The normalisation moves have been strongly rejected within Sudan, sparking protests led by opposition and civil society groups.